If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Please note that posts from new users are now moderated. If you have just joined this forum and post a new message it will be held in the moderation queue until a member of staff approves it. Please be patient and our staff will review your submission as soon as possible.

Need help with this phrasing

Which sentence is correct?

The food is just as good, if not better, as the recipe.
The food is just as good, if not better than the recipe.
The food is just a good if not better than the recipe.
The food is just as good (if not better) as the recipe.

Re: Need help with this phrasing

Wishful thinking - none of them.

Think about what you want to say. It's perfectly logical, with no hidden twists.

Use commas to insert a separate clause or phrase into a sentence.

Make sure that an extra idea put within commas in a sentence does not disrupt the meaning of the original sentence. You should be able to take out the extra bit, along with its commas, and still have a complete, correct sentence.

Re: Need help with this phrasing

Think about what you want to say. It's perfectly logical, with no hidden twists.

Use commas to insert a separate clause or phrase into a sentence.

Make sure that an extra idea put within commas in a sentence does not disrupt the meaning of the original sentence. You should be able to take out the extra bit, along with its commas, and still have a complete, correct sentence.

Understand 'as good as' and 'better than' as expressions.

Now try again.

(Hint: the second is the closest to being correct.)

I think this is correct:
The food is just as good as, if not better than, the recipe.

If the phrase 'if not better than' is removed, the sentence still makes sense: The food is just as good as the recipe.